Cardiac Tech Programs in Florida
Overview of Cardiovascular Tech (Echocardiology) Programs in Florida
Cardiac ultrasound technology (also known as sonography) is a rapidly growing career, and the medical demand for professional ultrasound technicians is rapidly expanding as well. There are numerous programs in Florida for these technicians throughout the state. As Florida is a state that attracts a large number of retired people, they are second only to California in the number of sonographers employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014.
Verbal and written communication skills are important if you chose this career as you will be maintaining patient records and communicating imaging results to the professionals that are responsible for treatment.
Cardiac technologist programs are also called diagnostic cardiac sonography, echocardiography sonography or programs for diagnostic cardiac sonographers, and can take anywhere from 18 months to four years to complete, depending upon your program choice. Contact the schools you see below that offer cardiac tech programs in Florida to learn more.
Echo Tech/Cardiac Ultrasound Education in Florida
There are numerous echo tech programs in Florida to choose from, and they tend to have similar admissions requirements. You must be a high school graduate or have your GED to apply to a school that has sonogram tech courses. You will want to determine whether a certificate, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is the program you prefer, as each will have slightly different requirements.
You can get a good idea of the curriculum you will be following by looking at a two year program, which requires 72 semester hours, and results in an Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology. There are didactic course, hands-on-training with abdominal and thoracic ultrasound technology and general instruction in cardiac function and abnormalities.
A typical week of attending a medical sonography program fulltime will consist of two days of classes and three eight hour clinical days. It is important to complete the classes with a grade of a C or better for graduation.
The course work to become an Echocardiogram Tech in Florida typically includes:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Echocardiography
- Medical Sonography
- Physics (as it applies to sonography)
- Abdominal Sonographers (ARDMS)
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an organization for sonography professionals, and they do offer a certification by passing their examination. This may be helpful in securing a position, as it demonstrates your dedication to a quality education.
The Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) organization is currently seeking qualified individuals for their pilot version of “the new Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) examination“, which was designed for technicians who practice at an advanced level. These credentialed sonographers perform advanced echocardiograms, mentor fellows, students, residents and staff.
Be sure to visit the Financial Aid Office and complete a FAFSA application if you need help with tuition expenses, as this federal grant program is based on your income and expected contributions. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Foundation offers a $2500 scholarships to its members. There are grants and loans available from the federal government also.
Echo Tech Careers in Florida
The field of cardiac sonography is rapidly growing, which requires the technician to develop a deeper level of understanding of the human heart and disease treatment. Non-invasive procedures are utilized to visualize and diagnose heart abnormalities. The duties of the sonongrapher have expanded over the past few years due to the advances in equipment, such as the three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE).
This career includes knowledge of the following techniques:
- Echocardiography
- Doppler Ultrasound
- Electrocardiography
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imagery
- Computed tomography (CT scans)
Typical jobs in Florida for trained cardiac technicians include:
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
- Registered Vascular Technologist
- Registered Cardiographic Technician
Florida cardiac sonographers earned a mean annual income of $53,210 in 2013 according to O’Net Online. This is an average salary, but past work experience and certification may also have an impact on your salary.
If you are interested in this career, some of the important traits that will help are your ability to be flexible, enthusiastic and confident. There will be times when you will be working alone while taking images and confidence is important if you have to make decisions to tailor your work to meet the needs of the patient. If you are interested in learning more about your options for earning an echo technician degree in Florida, contact the schools you see on our site.